I can only speak for Physiotherapists ( Mom was one, trained at Guys Hospital London), from the conversations I overheard as a kid growing up around them. "licensed killers" was about the kindest thing she and her co workers had to say. If that's still the consensus among newer Physios, I don't know, but that was the opinion up to 10 years ago.

I recently had a back injury and my doctor said there was only 2 ways I could have gotten an injury like I did... Either a car crash or a chiropractor.

Modern medicine, for the most part, looks down on anything that threatens it's monopoly on "health care". re: comments Scubabob -- I am also Canadian, and can tell you many horror stories about misdiagnosis, and doctor's ignorance about prescription meds -- in particular, my aunt who died as a result of being prescribed the wrong heart medicine in a dosage for young active adults. (She was dying anyway -- maybe she just died a month or two early... but still... prescriptions shouldn't kill you). My own mother, who's addiction to pharmaceuticals was maintained by the family doctor while he knew full well that at her level of usage, it could only be addiction -- so he told me... but as he put it... "what can I do, she'll just get the prescription somewhere else!?" And finally, my housebound grandmother, who was forced to go to the doctors office to hear a test result that could just as easily have been given to her on the phone, just so the doctor could bill another office visit. Accolades to another aspect of the Canadian system, which is providing incredible home care services to my grandmother... she would be living in poverty if she were in the USA... but in the USA (where I now live), at least I have the choice, I don't have to feed the doctors with extortianate "insurance" premiums -- I can opt out of the western medicine system, and use my hard earned money on alternative medicine from *highly*recommended* and trusted practitioners instead. Of course there are bad doctors, and bad chiropracters -- but the Canadian system in particular is so far in bed with the pharmaceutical companies -- due to the single provider system -- that I have little respect for it.

Well, I suppose it's different depending on where you go, but my GP (General Practitioner) will refer people to them, if he feels it's needed.

Its because medical doctors treat the entire human body and chiropractors only treat bones. Many less years of medical training are required to be a chiropractor, rather than a medical doctor. Its kind of like comparing a police officer to a security guard.

They look down on anything that will take money away from them, of course

just for FYI, these are the requirements are chiropractor must do to be certified. and for myself I have been going to the same one since 1989, he treats me for so many things, not sure I want to think of the time when he retires. In our area there are at least 3 medical DR that are both MD/chiropractor and two of my specialist go to chiropractors, so I feel people are beginning to understand there are better options http://library.thinkquest.org/24206/chiropractic.html Requirements to become a chiropractor are mentioned further a 4-year undergraduate/college prerequisite in most states. The training comprises of 4 years that is divided into 2 years of basic sciences with a requirement of successful completion of Part 1. The training period of a chiropractor is of 2 years which includes the clinical sciences after which National Boards, Part 2 is required. If the chiropractor plans to use physiological therapeutics in practice then, Part 3 of the National Boards chiropractic training is necessary. The diagnostic imaging, chiropractic technique and case management, skills of a chiropractor are tested in the 4the part of the curriculum that may be required for the state specific practical examination in some states. To become a licensed chiropractor 1 year internship period at a college clinic is also required for those training to become a chiropractor. Requirement to become a chiropractor also include optionally available preceptor ship programs that are scheduled after the study program of the boards. These programs are taken by the individual training, are completed prior to chiropractic licensure and are the essentials of the the internship requirements. The skills that are included in the private practice are learnt during the internship program and by practicing in a clinic outside the teaching institution. Post- graduate requirements to become a chiropractor 40 hours of approved course work that credits every two years, that is also common in other states is required to become a chiropractor. The chiropractors can work towards the goal of gaining board certification that is available at the post-graduate residency programs. Many of the chiropractic colleges offer these programmers in 1st and 3rd year syllabus or these can be taken while in practicing at different clinics across the United States of America. Chiropractors course work comprises of 300+ hours , with least period of practice of 5 years. Written and oral examination are followed by these 5 years of practice is followed for successful completion this course. The certification programs of chiropractic includes of Orthopedics, radiology, Nutrition, Sports Medicine, Family Practice, Rehabilitation etc. Like other doctors, a usual routine to get needed information to diagnose and treat patients is followed by the specialists at Chiropractor. Patient's medical history, neurological tests, orthopedic examinations and medical history is needed by these people. They may also suggest some laboratory examinations. The Chiropractors lay emphasis on radiotherapies like X rays and other diagnostic images that are vital for the diagnosis of the spine problems. Specialists at the Chiropractor also study the posture of the patient and spine with the use of the special procedure. Chiropractors manually adjust the spinal column for patients whose health problems can be traced to the musculoskeletal system.

Often, yes, and sometimes for good reason. Chiropractic is a wonderful treatment for muscle and joint pain. I use a chiropractor for neck and muscle problems and have been very satisfied. The problem many people, including me, have with chiropractors is that some of them make ridiculous outlandish claims. I have heard chiropractors say that getting your back adjusted will prevent colds and flu and cure asthma. This is completely false and does a disservice to the legitimate professionals who are lumped in with the quacks.